Carlo Ancelotti rented a luxury, sea-view apartment in the heart of Naples so that, as he put it, “every morning I wake up thinking I’m on vacation.” On one of his first nights in the city, he surprised everyone by entering a famous pizzeria and asking for a large table for himself and his staff. On his first day off, he cruised to Capri, the beautiful island lying 30 minutes away from Naples. And ever since his arrival, the local newspapers have been full of photos of the new Napoli manager: Carlo with fishermen; Carlo with waiters and cooks; Carlo with ordinary people on the street who are visibly excited to pose with the coach, one of the most sought-after managers in international football.

In other words, Ancelotti has given himself to the city like no one before him. Maurizio Sarri, Rafa Benitez, Walter Mazzarri—all of Ancelotti’s predecessors moved into the northern suburbs, close to the Castel Volturno training center, which is 40...